No easy games for Canucks even after a win

Elliott Pap, Vancouver Sun03.09.2014

Darren Archibald #49 of the Vancouver Canucks is congratulated by Jordan Schroeder #45 after scoring a goal against the Calgary Flames during the second period in NHL action on March 08, 2014 at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. This was Archibald’s first goal in the in NHL.Rich Lam
/ Getty Images

Ladislav Smid #3 of the Calgary Flames tries to clear the puck after teammate goalie Joni Ortio #37 stopped a shot by Zac Dalpe #21 of the Vancouver Canucks during the second period in NHL action on March 08, 2014 at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Ben Hanowski #58, Corban Knight #10 and Tyler Wotherspoon #56 of the Calgary Flames along with Jordan Schroeder #45 and Darren Archibald #49 of the Vancouver Canucks are seen in the photo.Rich Lam
/ Getty Images

Vancouver Canucks’ Yannick Weber, left, of Switzerland, and Tom Sestito celebrate Weber’s goal as Calgary Flames’ Brian McGrattan, right, looks on during third period NHL hockey action in Vancouver, B.C., on Saturday March 8, 2014.DARRYL DYCK
/ THE CANADIAN PRESS

Calgary Flames’ goalie Joni Ortio, of Finland, allows a goal to Vancouver Canucks’ Yannick Weber, of Switzerland, during third period NHL hockey action in Vancouver, B.C., on Saturday March 8, 2014.DARRYL DYCK
/ THE CANADIAN PRESS

Vancouver Canucks’ Shawn Matthias, from left to right, Yannick Weber, of Switzerland, Jason Garrison, Tom Sestito and David Booth celebrate Weber’s goal against the Calgary Flames during third period NHL hockey action in Vancouver, B.C., on Saturday March 8, 2014.DARRYL DYCK
/ THE CANADIAN PRESS

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For the Vancouver Canucks, and the pickle they are in, absolutely nothing comes easy.

They were barely able to beat the 26th-place Calgary Flames on Saturday — eking out a 2-1 victory in which they managed just 14 shots — so why would Monday night’s home date with the 27th-place New York Islanders be any different? It won’t be, according to Canuck forward Chris Higgins.

“These are tricky games against teams that are looking up at the standings,” said Higgins, nearly the goat Saturday when he took three straight penalties in the final 10 minutes. “They are playing for fun and they’re playing pretty freewheeling. So those are difficult games and, obviously, we’re not looking past anybody.”

Obviously. The Canucks are in dire straits themselves. Winners of just two of their last 13 — that’s 2-10-1 for those keeping score at home — they have numerous players in stupendous scoring droughts and every game is life-and-death. It’s been mostly death, which is why they’re four points out of a playoff spot and have two fewer games to play than eighth-place Dallas.

“We have to scratch, claw and grind and find points anyway possible,” noted Canuck head coach John Tortorella, whose own job security is becoming an issue. “I’m not going to sit here and dissect the win. It was a grind for both teams. I’m happy that our guys got two points.”

The Canucks had to overcome a blooper goal Saturday when Eddie Lack was stunningly beaten from centre ice by Brian McGrattan, the Flames’ fourth-line goon who now has two on the season and eight in 291 games. Vancouver countered with a fourth-line goal by Utica Comets’ call-up Darren Archibald — his first in the NHL — and a third-period game-winner from surplus defenceman Yannick Weber, who was only in the lineup due to an arm injury to Ryan Stanton.

Whether Archibald and Weber can continue their magic against the Islanders is another matter as first-liners Henrik Sedin and Alex Burrows continue their mind-boggling slumps. Neither had a shot on goal against a Flames team with eight rookies in its lineup, including goalie Joni Ortio. Henrik, one of the league’s premier passers, doesn’t have a point in 12 games. He hasn’t scored a goal in 23, although he has fought injuries during his slide. Burrows remains without a goal this season in 34 games.

But if they can’t score, they can still grind, which is what they did against the Flames. Higgins said the effort against Calgary was a start and that it must continue against the Islanders.

“We didn’t make too many pretty plays out there but we got in front of shots and we worked them behind their goal line,” he commented. “It was just about effort and I think we had that from everyone up and down the lineup. Hopefully it’s the start of something good.”

Higgins, by the way, was the most relieved man in hockey when his mates were able to kill off his three minors, one for cross checking, one for closing his hand on the puck and, finally, one for shooting the puck over the glass. It was quite the achievement. In the aftermath of victory, he was able to laugh it off.

“I was telling the boys I didn’t have any money on Calgary but I’m not convincing anybody in the room right now,” Higgins chuckled. “I’ve never seen anything like that. I’m pretty sure they were all penalties. Maybe the last one might have grazed the boards a little bit. I was a little upset about that one. I already had two and I think the refs have to throw me a bone on that one. I guess I can laugh now because we won.”

For Archibald, who was never drafted into the NHL, his career first goal was the accumulation of many long hours of work and never giving up the dream. He spent time in both the East Coast and American Leagues before getting his opportunity.

“It’s something you think of growing up your whole life,” said the 24-year-old from Newmarket, Ont. “It’s good to get it out of the way. It’s a big night. I kind of did the pitchfork and saw the puck sneak in. I live for those goals. You don’t get the pretty ones too often in this league.”

Perhaps another promising note for the Canucks was the play Saturday of Nicklas Jensen, the Canucks’ first pick in the 2011 entry draft. Jensen, 21, saw 16:18 of ice time, attempted four shots, and blocked one. He skated with both Ryan Kesler and Henrik Sedin after being summoned Friday from Utica.

“I liked Jensen,” said Tortorella. “He’s a big body and a better skater than I thought. You can see the skill but he has to understand situations and he turned over a few pucks. That’s part of the process for a young guy but I liked what he did.”

“It’s a different league and a different pace,” Jensen noted. “To get the first game over with, I think will help.”

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